AJ's Story

AJ after liver transplant Seven-year-old Anthony Myers is calling on his local and interstate friends to have a holiday with a difference this year – competing at the Australian Transplant Games in his hometown of Perth.

After awaking shortly after his third birthday with sudden liver failure, a seriously-ill Anthony was flown to Sydney and placed in Westmead Children’s Hospital intensive care unit. Fortunately a donor liver became available soon after and three months of post-transplant care followed.

Now Anthony – an energetic tennis and footy player, better known as “AJ” – is keen to bridge the 3,300km gap between his home and Westmead Hospital. He wants to invite fellow transplant recipients to join him at the Games.

“I went to the last Games in Geelong and it was good because all the transplant kids could play with each other”, Anthony said. “We could have running races and we played football, soccer and netball.”

Australian Transplant Games are held every two years and provide “living proof” that organ and tissue donation works, allowing recipients of all ages to return to a productive and fulfilling life.

They promote physical activity and improved health among participants and provide an opportunity for people to network with others in similar situations. This includes transplant recipients, those undergoing dialysis treatment, those awaiting transplantation, living donors, family members of deceased donors and supporters.

The 17th Australian Transplant Games will be held in Perth this October 4-11. Up to 1,000 participants from around the nation and overseas will descend on the city for a wide range of activities. For children and teenagers, this ranges from the more relaxed chess and scrabble competitions to events such as swimming and athletics.

There are five categories for the juniors – children less than five years of age; six to nine years, 10-13 years; 14 & 15 years and 16 & 17 years. Games registration for juniors is free.

As well as the sporting schedule, a committee has been formed whose sole responsibility is to manage children’s social activities for the week. The committee is also busy raising funds and as a result it is expected most children’s activities will be free. Outings include a visit to Rottnest Island , the zoo, the movies and playing Supa Golf and Kanga Cricket.

Nine-year-old Sydney resident Miriam Waldron, who underwent a liver transplant at Westmead Children’s Hospital at 15 months of age, can’t wait to take part in her second Transplant Games.
She’s also excited about meeting up with AJ again after having so much fun with him at the 2006 Games in Geelong, Victoria.

“The Games are great, even the siblings of the transplant kids can enjoy the junior activities,” Miriam said. “They can’t win medals like us but they can get ribbons.”

Miriam’s mum Louise Stone said the non-competitive nature of the Games was very appealing, with an emphasis on fun and cheering on your peers.

“At the Transplant Games the kids can all be themselves and not struggle to keep up,” Louise said. “Miriam has reached an age where she gets a great deal out of the Games. Everyone makes a big fuss of the kids. We’re also going to the World Games at the Gold Coast in August next year.”

The Transplant Games are staged by registered charity Transplant Australia. Its members share a special bond – they have all been touched in some way by the medical miracle of transplantation. They include those awaiting a transplant, donor families, living donors, transplant recipients and the doctors, nurses and co-ordinators working in the organ and tissue donation and transplantation sector.

For Australian Transplant Games details visit: http://www.australiantransplantgames.com/